Quartzite, Az.

Quartzite, Az.

Quartzite, Az.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

As expected our Thanksgiving Day gathering went really good. Mi chica did most if not all of the cooking and everyone else brought a plethora of sides and desserts, it was all good and we all enjoyed it very much. They decided on a buffet style meal so no sit around the table being all proper, this was more of a everyone for yourself and seconds and even thirds is totally fine because you'll be the one serving yourself. You know what it worked for me, and for everyone else because not one complaint was logged in the complaint box. Oh wait there was no such box so maybe that answers the question.

My little family is not little anymore, it took two turkeys and a ham to feed us all, when I see us all together like this the word multiplicity comes to mind. Last year we had fourteen socks hung on the pseudo chimney a.k.a. the entertainment center. This year we have added one more. Yep, the family just keeps growing and growing and growing, like the Energizer bunny... oh wait that was going, going, going.

The biggest surprise this year was that my brother in law came from California totally unannounced and that brought tears to mi chica's eyes. In the past all her other brothers used to make the trek with the kids but starting last year they could not do it anymore as the kids grew and now due to work and stuff like that they can't get the time off. Yeah, having her brother here really highlighted her celebration.

So, I invited any and everybody that wanted to go to Manny's for karaoke and many took me on my word. We had an area reserved for us and in the end we needed additional chairs. We had a blast singing and even my 5-year old grandson sang a song in Spanish. Awww, takes after his grandpa.

So all in all, the weekend has been great, we kindda forgot a little about the hard times out there these days. I have relatives that have had their hours cut down at work and others have lost the job altogether but you know what, one way or another we will survive, we always do. That's the beauty of being poor, we are kindda used to it and we know how to make do with what we have. Anyway broke and all, my daughter and daughter in law took advantage of some of Black Friday's sales and went to buy presents for the kids. I think they did pretty good. Kids don't need to know about parents having hard times. Their times will come when they will have to face the music themselves.

I did take some pictures but have not been downloaded yet so feel free to come back later and check them out, I will insert a few soon as I can. Also we are planning on going to "Glendale Glitters" we should also have a great time there which most likely I'll share with you all later in the week.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

They said rain for Thanksgiving and gosh I think this time they got it right. After a cloudy Tuesday we finally got rain all night and as I write this it is raining outside. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind the rain, actually I love it but I hope that it doesn't rain on Friday as we have a karaoke party planned at Manny's and karaoke is usually out in the patio.

Thanksgiving is an American holiday, we do not celebrate it in Mexico but we now live here and in the United States, therefor we now celebrate it along with the rest of America. It's a tradition that goes back to the Pilgrims and the Indians. But really, when you think about it it is a very important holiday. How great that there is one day set aside for us to think and reflect on the thinks that we should be thankful for. And then to spend the day with the family to share this important celebration. The food is just an added bonus.

I was talking to a co-worker of mine and she said she was celebrating Thanksgiving with her father, when I asked how about with your mom she replied that her mom didn't believe in Thanksgiving for religious reasons and although I respects someone else's beliefs I can't help but wonder why is it that any religion would prevent you from being thankful and for celebrating.

I have so much to be thankful but the most important thing at the top of my list is that I am thankful for "mi chica", my wife, my friend, the boss of me, my everything. I found a song that pretty much sums it all up for many of us. During these hard days where so many are struggling I am really taking a hard look at where we are at and realize there is just so much that I am thankful for to even make a list.

There is a really cool song I like to sing that pretty much sums it up for me and I am sure for a lot of you too. I couldn't find a decent video to publish but I did find this video that someone did and did a great job at it.

I have days where I hate my job,This little town and the whole world tooAnd last Sunday when the cardinals lostLord it put me in a bad mood

I have moments when I curse the rainThen complain when the suns too hotI look around at what everyone hasAnd I forget about all I've got

[chorus]But I know I'm a lucky manGods given me a pretty fair handGot a house and piece of landA few dollars in a coffee canMy old trucks still runnin' goodMy tickers tickin like they say it shouldI've got supper in the ovenA good woman's lovin And one more day to be my little kids dadLord knows I'm a lucky man

Got some friends that would be here fastI could call em any time of dayGot a brother who's got my backGot a momma who I swears a saintGot a brand new rod and reelGot a full week off this yearDad had a close call last springIt's a miracle he's still here

[chorus]

My old trucks still runnin' goodMy tickers tickin like they say it shouldI got supper in the ovenA good womans lovin'And even my bad days aint that badYeah I'm a lucky man

I'm a lucky, lucky man

On that last note I wish you all have a great Thanksgiving celebration, and for those of you that for one reason or another don't believe in celebrating Thanksgiving Day, well then to you I wish a great Thursday.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I have been blogging since June of 2006 and since that time I have seen many bloggers come and go. Some stay for a long time some disappear almost immediately after making an appearance and some are kindda intermittent, one post a month is sufficient for them, in my sisters case it's two per year (Yes Elena I am talking about you). lol

In looking at the comments I see I used to have many readers that for a long time commented here and then without notice they stopped. That is the beauty of blogging, you constantly meet new friends. Notice I use the word friends because even though I don't know anyone in person we know so much of each other than eventually real friendships develop.

So, out of all my original blogger friends (I'll call them the OGs)there are three that are still active. I read their blogs daily and at this point we have branched out and actually exchange emails. The first one to find me and approach me was Mushy (not his real name), then came Bozette, and then EC (Erin).

Well, yesterday was a very special blogger day. Last week I received an email from Bozette telling me she would be in Phoenix for Thanksgiving. We immediately made plans to finally meet in person. Bozette comes from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin so I didn't want to miss her.

Last night we finally met. My daughter Michelle (also a blogger)and I went to Peoria/Glendale were Bozette was visiting her sister, and got to meet not only her but her mom and sister's family, whom by the way are fellow bikers, now how cool is that?

In case you were wondering why the name "Bozette", well let's let the picture tell you the tale.

We had planned to go and have some coffee so we went to a local Starbucks to have some lattes. Mi chica met us there later and joined us for some coffee and great conversation. The funny thing was that I truly felt I already knew Lana a.k.a. Bozette, it did not feel like I was meeting with a stranger but to use her own words it felt like I was meeting with family. I guess it is true that we are a family of bloggers.

Yes, it was exciting indeed. Meeting a fellow blogger friend, was totally a highlight of the year for this blogger. We spent a good two hours sitting there outside Starbucks, enjoying some great Arizona weather and exchanging interesting stories. So, next year when she comes and visit her sister she also knows that she has another family member (namely me) that will be waiting to hear from her and wanting to see her again.

Lana, it truly was great meeting you and I am honored to be your friend.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

So the temperature dropped a little bit more but we still managed to have a great karaoke night over at Manny's. It was weird though because the place is always full of people and on Friday it was empty by 8:30. Considering that they close at 10:00 it was a very slow night. I attribute this to 1) People are saving what little money they have for next week and 2) The economy is just bad and people will have to skip a few nights out.

Today I decided to go drop mi chica to the "park and ride" parking lot in Glendale where she would ride with her coworkers. I kept the van so I could go and sell all those aluminum cans that we had collected. Well, I did and I got a whopping 8:00 for them, ummmm the last time I took the same amount and got about $12.00. I a think they are payin less for them too.

In the afternoon I was to go and picked her up at 5:30. I did and she surprised me with a little stowaway. Yep, my granddaughter Brianna was with her and she was to spend the night with us as "punishment" for acting up with her parents. Of course the punishment included lots of hugs and kisses and we also took her to her favorite Mexican restaurant and bought her as per her request a cheese crisp with a side of guacamole. Ummmmm, carne asada burritos for mi chica and I completed the meal, and to drink a couple of very cold orchatas.

The plan is to bring her sister next week and give her the same attention. Talynna, is normally well behaved so for her we will bring her with us as a reward. Ummmm, no matter what they always win. Yep, our job as grandparents is very tough... Not!

So, tomorrow we will celebrate Talynnas 8 birthday. Her birthday already passed but her party will be tomorrow. Mi chica already started cooking and I believe my son is getting carne asada. Ummmm! Again, that is a winning menu, we can never go wrong with carne asada.

I hope you all have a great rest of the week, and for my friend Betty, a prayer and hugs go out to you. I hope you come out the hospital fast and that you feel better.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

As the season comes to an end most of my shows will go on hiatus, I stuck to all the shows I've been watching, none was dropped and no new ones have been picked, here is what been burning my tube:

Our telenovela "Fuego En La Sangre" is going strong. Granted sometimes it gets too cheesy and sometimes it's just plain stupid but at the end of the show it's all good and we are left wanting more. Vengeance, love, three brothers, three sisters, an evil mother with a equally evil husband, killings that go unpunished, and just plain ol' every day situations. This novela has it all, great characters, a good theme song, and plenty of action. In a nutshell it has all the ingredients of a good telenovela.

Prison Break, this season has me sittin' on that couch every Monday night. Everything is too far fetched, nothing that could happen in real life I think, prisoners doing what a super highly trained military team should be doing, is unlikely to happen in real life but heck on TV if works just fine. Scofield, Lincoln, Sucre, Sarah after three seasons we are all in a first name basis. This show is really good and it too leaves me wanting for more. Next Monday sometimes doesn't come soon enough.

"Knight Rider", are you kiddin', it was tagged as a cheesy show with bad acting, but the star of the show has the script pretty much learned. Yep, I am talking about the Mustang, the unmistakably throaty engine sound is music to my ears, no GM car sounds as good as a Mustang sporting "X" pipes. I am a Ford enthusiast so I don't mind the shameless amount of Ford commercials that are embedded into the show. This past Wednesday they even showcased the brand new Flex and the awesome 2010 Mustang. But if you gave this show a chance, then you probably already found out that it isn't too bad and it has plenty of action.

Same night, different channel, one of the best shows I've seen in a while.

"Sons of Anarchy" is a show like many others that is full of violence. It's actually about a group of people that are outlaws. Selling guns, killing, betrayal, and in the midst of all this, they insert love, friendship, brotherhood. Yeah, it's totally wrong and totally addiciting. Can't wait for season two.

"Ugly Betty", well it's the same but different. Betty continues to be ugly, working for the same guy, having different love interests, not moving ahead in the corporate ladder and yet in most situations she runs the whole show without getting the credit. I totally dropped this show last season, but picked it up again this one and it is just a fun warm show to watch. I think it will be picked up again. Oh, and thanks for getting rid of Lindsay Lohan, thankfully she was no match for America Ferrera.

"La Rosa de Guadalupe" This show is shown Thursday and Friday nights. It's a one our complete story and it's all about faith and the belief and devotion that most of us Mexicans have for our Lady of Guadalupe. If you believe in miracles and or like to hear about miracles this show is definitely for you. Obviously each show has a happy ending.

"True Blod" Vampires, shape shifters, mind readers, all coexisting with humans, how can a show like this be boring. This show is wickedly good, I saw the pilot show and immediately got hooked.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Mustang... Not just another car, but an Icon that year after year continues to write history. Welcome to the "Mustang Nation".

Only by chance and pure coincidence I turned the TV to the Speed channel and a show called Unveiling the 2010 Mustang was about to start. The new Mustang gets it's first facelift and while retaining it's current out of the charts awesome look, you can see the new changes and modifications.

The interior too got a new look, and it looks like something I would totally be comfortable in. The one hour show went on to highlight Mustangs of the past, it showcased some of the commercials of the Mustang Stories contest, which some of us that have been following the show "Night Rider" have been seeing.

Some 16 racing personalities including Parnelli Jones and the ever famous in the Mustang world Carroll Shelby, along with 11 very special and famous Mustangs were part of the show. All of a sudden while watching this show the pride of being a Mustang owner was revived. Not that I didn’t have anymore but for a while there as my Mustang starts to show it’s age combined with the frustration of not having the moula to have it the way I would like to, I had for a little while forgotten about what we call "Pride of Ownership".

I am sure this show will be repeated again. It is just too good and too important to be aired only once.

Here's a ride down memory lane... enjoy!All the following images were borrowed from the Internet.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Last July during our annual National Sales Meeting, mi chica and I got invited to the "Lava Lounge", a party thrown by one of our biggest business partners "Hitachi". This took place at the Sheraton Wild Horseshoe Pass Resort and Spa, where they put us up for the night so we didn't have to drive after we had drunk. This place is beautiful and this is one of the many gardens with the main building in the background.

"The rules…

Find the 6th folder in your pictures directory and post the 6th photo in it.

So here are the instructions:

* Go to your sixth picture folder then pick your sixth picture.* Pray that you remember the details.* Post it on your blog.* Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they’ve been tagged.

I was tagged by Wanda of "Brushstrokes of the Heart".

I will tag 5 friends, but please don't feel obligated if you don't have time. I found it only took a few minutes.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Ah! Much, much, much better. This is what I'm talking about. What gas shortage? What supply and demand? We all knew that gas prices were being gouched for no reason at all other than to break our wallets and to get their pockets full.

I went into the gas station with a nearly empty gas tank and I came out with a full one and all for $23.37. Yep, almost half of what I was paying two months ago. By the same token mi chica and my daughter went shopping and they bought a ton of kids clothes which will make a bunch of nice Christmas presents for less than half the original price. They spent somewhere around $62.00 for what should have been possibly over $150.00.

See, we are all scared about the economy and we should, but if everybody flat out decides to not go out and spend we will really be in deep doodoo. Stores are willing to sell even if it means making a very small profit. It's obvious that a small profit is better than no profit. So, this is the time to go out and browse to see what the stores are offering. We don't need to drive businesses out of business. I for one prefer to support my local stores and keep the area that I live in alive.

So, within the limited spending means we may have this year, have a happy bargain Christmas shopping season. If you can't or don't have the money to spend, don't worry, Christmas is not about the presents but about love and goodwill.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

So this hobby of mine has taken us to Manny's every Friday night for the past seven weeks in a row. It is obvious that by now we know the regulars there and are fast on our way of joining the club. Every Friday new people come to us to introduce themselves, it really is a very family oriented atmosphere and I am really loving it.

This weekend we were joined by three of mi chica's coworkers and they too said they had a great time even tho they did not sing. I just thanked them for not taking a basket of ripe tomatoes to throw at me while I was singing. Instead mi chica told me that they in fact like the songs I did and one of her friends even googled some of them. Wow! Talk about ego buster for me. lol

One of the regulars there, a big guy with a big voice surprised us the other day as he did a rendition of "Sherry", then this Friday he did "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Now both these songs are sung really, really high, and he did them with no problem whatsoever. I had to go and ask him how he can go that high and his reply was, "Before I sing songs like these I go into the bathroom and give me a wedgie. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go and remove it, otherwise I won't be able to sing anything else". I just had to laugh at his sense of humor.

My sister and her husband have been going out with us for the past three Saturdays and yesterday mi sister called to invite us to a "Bohemian Night". Some of the members of the church choir for which she is the director got together and formed a band. They were to perform at one of the member's house which by the way was only about three minutes away from ours (super convenient) for these two radio station DJs as they are seeking help to land some contracts.

We got there at about 7:00 p.m. Their audition lasted a good two hours in which they played everything in their repertoire. The difference with this group was that the singer also makes his own arrangements and they took a lot of popular songs all in Spanish and gave them their own personal touch. Even the popular novela theme song "Para Siempre" which is originally sung by Vicente Fernandez got a different arrangement, as he put it we are not mariachis so they toned it down into a ballad. Pretty ingenious. They play really good and the singer has a terrific voice. So, there is hope there. We'll see how thing pan out for them. In the meantime we had two very pleasant two hours there.

Being that we were so close to our house, mi sister and her husband spent the next two hours with us drinking coffee and Disaronno and just listening to some more music.

Basically, we just had another awesome weekend. Today is my take it easy day.

Friday, November 14, 2008

The weather fooled us a little bit. Here I was thinking it was going to get cold and today we are back to wearing shorts. Yep, shorts and t-shirts is proper winter attire here in Phoenix. Well, one think will be for sure, it will be nice tonight at Manny's. I thought for sure they would turn the heaters on tonight but it doesn't seem like it will be necessary.

So, the CMAs were last Wednesday and I don't see the point when the same people keep winning the same awards year after year. To me that means that things are status quo, nothing new happens, nobody excels, the all just become complacent, and basically defeats the purpose. The live performances are usually bad, take Taylor Swift for instance, she sounded really bad this year, last year and the year before that. If she was trying for American Idol she would be rejected. That is just too sad. Her recordings on the other had are pretty cool. After hearing them perform live in a huge show such as this and hear them sound not so good, it makes me realize maybe I am not such a bad karaoke singer.

On the other hand, Carrie Underwood proved to be the exception, but then again on AI they sing so many genres that we already know she could sing. Wednesday was no exception. Should she be the best year after year, I don't think so, there are so many more talented singers out there. But hey, that's just me. I now most of you love Rascal Flats, me I like certain songs but can't take a full CD, Gary's voice to me is annoying. Yes I realize not every country singer can sound like Trace Adkins, or Randy Travis or even Randy Owen but hey to each it's own. Obviously millions like them and buy their albums.

I have loved country music since the early 80's, back then country music sounded like country music. Now it wants to compete with Pop music. Taylor Swift, Brad Paysley, and even Kenny Chesney have songs that don't sound too country. Then non country singers such as Jessica Simpson, Darius Rucker, and Kid Rock come in and grab the numero uno spot. Kindda crazy, isn't it? I guess that is the evolution of music.

Fusing music is nothing new, so hearing Kenny Chesney sing songs that sound Hawaiian, or Caribbean does not surprise me. So even though I did enjoy the 2008 CMA's I have to admit that the country music influence is in jeopardy.

Being the old school kindda guy that I am, I guess I'm still stuck on Classic Country.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

As I sit here listening to music I can't help but wonder how songwriters do it. Some of the lyrics on some songs are to close to home. On Friday night karaoke sometimes I dedicate a song to mi chica because the song pretty much tells her what I can't put into words on my own. It's like wow, that was exactly what I wanted to tell her but I am just not that eloquent.

It does takes some special talent to have so many situations in your head weather made up or from real life experience. The fact remains that some people were born with that talent. Some songs cover a lifetime in only three verses and one chorus, while others can have multiple verses and yet they say nothing at all.

I am the type of person that can listen to a song on the radio and immediately love the song just based on the tune of the song. Before I know it I am singing along to lyrics that I make up, as I really don’t know what it says. Then days later I decide to google the lyrics to sing along as the song plays, and it isn't until that moment that I realize what the song is really about.

In past posts I have written about songs that I like and today will be no exception. Just the other night while listening to some songs on youtube I was playing a song by Trace Adkins and while listening to it I was perusing more of his songs. There was a title that caught my eye and I decided to play it next. Even thought I had never heard it before I immediately warmed up to it. The song brought back some feelings that I experienced at the beginning of the year. There for a brief time mi chica and I for the first time in many years were left by ourselves, as the kids decided to give it a whirl and live on their own.

Those were three very hard months. We just weren't used to a quiet house, or a clean house, there just wasn’t anything there to replace the void left by our grandkids, as we had no little ones to scream to. We in fact missed them, we missed their noise, we missed mess, we miss their laughter, but most of all we missed the joy of having them with us.

Two out of our three kids are still out there, trying to make a life of their own with their little family. Luckily they live close to us and we get to see them often. As I listened to the song I got all teary eyed, as I know that eventually they will all leave to fend for themselves.

Yes sometimes we complain and nearly go crazy and in a way wish that they would all leave but then I think it over and just smile.

The song says that you waited all your life for them to leave AND THEN THEY DO!

I can't publish the song here but if you want to listen to it CLICK HERE

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Then They Do

In the early rush of morning,Trying to get the kids to school: One's hanging on my shirt-tail, Another's locked up in her room. And I'm yelling up the stairs: "Stop worrying 'bout your hair, you look fine."

Then they're fightin' in the backseat, And I'm playing referee. Now someone's gotta go, The moment that we leave. And everybody's late, I swear that I can't wait till they grow up.

Then they do, and that's how it is. It's just quiet in the mornin', Can't believe how much you miss, All they do and all they did. You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:Then they do.

Now the youngest is starting college, She'll be leavin' in the Fall. And Brianna's latest boyfriend, Called to ask if we could talk. And I got the impression, That he's about to pop the question any day.

I look over at their pictures, Sittin' in their frames. I see them as babies: I guess that'll never change. You pray all their lives, That someday they will find happiness.

Then they do, and that's how it is. It's just quiet in the mornin', Can't believe how much you miss, All they do and all they did. You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:Then they do.

No more Monday PTA's, No carpools, or soccer games. Your work is done.Now you've got time that's all your own. You've been waitin' for so long, For those days to come.

Then they do, and that's how it is. It's just quiet in the mornin', Can't believe how much you miss, All they do and all they did. You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:Then they do.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Wow, we are having terrific weather here in Phoenix, yes I know we are far away from having fall like most of you do but to not have constant heat and to be able to put my top down and drive topless is mostly appreciated. The bad thing about Phoenix is that we only have a couple of weeks of this great weather and then bam! It gets cold.

Before you know it, everybody is sneezing and calling in sick. Yeah, it's sort of a routine here. Since I don't have AC or heater in my car I don't get to experience weather changes and that keeps me from catching a cold. I still would love to see some streets full of leaves, and trees turn from green to orange, like it happens back east. Our landscape here is still pretty much the same, it just doesn't change.

NASCAR was last week, man I live so close to PIR and considering the extra amount of people that came into town everything went so smooth, also Monday Night Football was played here in Phoenix and again, I hardly noticed the additional traffic going home. I guess the Phoenix Police Department has thing under control and they do an awesome job during these events.

OK, I gotta go so, that will be it for today. If any of you post pictures from your area showing how the different colors of fall let me know.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Warming up for the holidays. Yes, my favorite time of the year is approaching fast. I can do without all the hoopla and merchandising, just play me some Christmas music and give me a TV set with Christmas movies, that alone will do the trick. Christmas is a time to be festive and thanks to all the stores that seem to want to bring Christmas even before Halloween and Thanksgiving are here many people get put off and before you know it we have a world full of "Mr. Grinch".

In my case, I just love the season, I love what it represents and I'll be darned if I am going to let anything or anyone spoil it. I go into full Christmas mode the day after Thankgiving. No, you probably won't find me at the malls shopping or in a corner Christmas caroling, but you will find out that during these time I am a happy go lucky kindda guy, the warm and fuzzy feeling that only comes during Christmas is pretty much with me.

I hope that this year as many of us are struggling and thinking weather we will have a job tomorrow really reflect and think about what the real meaning of Christmas is all about, then maybe, just maybe, we will celebrate for the right reason.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Too bad I am too old to be discovered, my shot for American Idol passed many blue moons ago which is too bad because I could have been very rich and very famous, but you know what that is just fine with me. I prefer to be poor but happy. Yesterday, during karaoke night I made a few fans and fed on the applause. It's all going to my head and I don't know if I'll be able to deal with my new found karaoke success. Well, at least that is my side of the story and I am sticking to it.

Just kiddin', truth is that for now Friday night karaoke at Manny's is proving to be fun. Just three weeks ago I sat in a far away table and waited for mi chica there but last night as I took possession of my little corner table I was invited to the big regulars table, jeez the pressure was on, now I had to get up to par with the rest, all of a sudden I didn't have the safety of my little table for two with the nearby TV screen I considered my own for the past five weeks which allowed me to politely show them my back instead of my shaking hands and face.

So, that all changed last night. I had to get my courage and face the crowd and you know what, it was not that hard and actually it was fun. I don't know how fun it was for them to see a Mexican statute singing, because last night that's what I was, one hand on the microphone and the other in my pocket a la Frank Sinatra, all I needed was a cigarrete haning from my mouth but alas I quit smoking some fourteen years ago. So, for last night a singing statue I was but luckily that was good enough to win the crowd over.

Since mi chica and I been going there I have not repeated a song, the regulars there pretty much sing the same songs week after week. I just don't get it. In talking with Abe, our karaoke MC, I found out last night that he is holding -- get this! In that little lap top of his, he is holding over 25,000 songs, wow! and I was worried that I was going to run out of song very soon. His books are huge, I no longer go through them, now all I do is walk up to him ask him if he has a specific song which most probably he will and he just sets it up for me.

Mi chica rides with this lady on Fridays, for the past three or four weeks she would drop her off at the door and then leave. Last night she decided to come in with her and she was so surprised at the camaraderie of us karaokeres (I think I just invented this word) and how everybody was talking to each other. She is like "Wow, is this what you guys do on Fridays". I am sure that even though she doesn't sing she'll be back next week.

Tonight we have been invited to yet a different place to go karaoke. So we will be picking my sister and her husband up and then we'll meet some more friends there. In contrast to Manny's which is mostly a country music crowd, tonight should be mostly Spanish, and I am totally looking forward to it.

And so for your listening pleasure or displeasure, I'll take either one, here's my rendition of a John Michael Montgomery classic.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

I was going through some of my old photo discs and I found one with a lot of images from the Fabulous Fords Forever car show at Knott's Berry Farm. This here is an awesome looking fat fendered F-100. I want one.

This one is just a tiny little bit out of my price range right now, but who knows if the economy picks up I just may feel like coughing up the $500,000.00 it costs. A Saleen is just what the doctor ordered.

The purists restore theirs to factory specifications. The hot rodders make them go fast and look rad, but what happens when someone wants the best of both worlds. Why resto mod it of course. This is one hot looking resto mod that also would feel right at home sitting in my garage.

What are you, nuts? So, how is this for budget customizing? There is no money for paint so lets just sand it to the bare metal and throw a couple coats of clear. Maybe people won't notice... yeah right!

This baby had everything but the kitchen sink. I think given the chance the owner of this beauty would install one too. The Fabulous Fords Forever car show normally attracts around 2000 Fords, and at least 60% are Mustangs.

For the past 12 years or so (If I am wrong, I am sure mi chica will correct me) there's a Ford Bronco sitting in my garage and I hope one day it will see the street again. My Bronco is newer than this:

But older than this:

Heck, I would be happy driving this one around the neighborhood since I don't play golf.

I am not a purist, Mustangs and Fords is what I like but I will drive anything. Anybody wants to give me a Corvette, hell yes I'll take it... What? You don't believe me... try me!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

So, we did it. Cesar Chavez said it first, "Si se puede, si se puede". What an amazing display of support for the Democratic Candidate and now our President Elect Barack Obama. I have seen close friends lose their homes, and some lose their jobs, mi chica lost hers last December a couple of weeks before Christmas and now in her new job the memo is out that they'll be laying people off. This is happening everywhere, business is slow and companies continue to struggle. Stores that I always thought were strong like Circuit City and Mervyn's are filing bankruptcy and will be closing their doors, and at least three car dealerships in the Avondale Autoplex closed their doors, now empty lots that a couple of weeks ago had hundreds of cars in them.

An unhappy co-worker walked into the coffee room this morning complaining that we should get ready as there will be additional taxes taken from our paychecks. I just looked at him straight in the eye and told him, "For that I am totally ready, to be unemployed I'm not". As a warehouse manager I am doing everything in my power to keep my team as is, but the fear remains that they'll ask us to downsize.

Yes, I am ready to feel optimistic and to give Barack Obama my support. He does have a big task ahead of him and will need everyone's support. Together we will climb out of this bad situation and in the end we will prevail.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Sunday, November 02, 2008

This past Saturday we had a birthday party for mi chica. It's been our experience that it is totally hard to throw a complete surprise party so we opted for the semi-surprise party. After all how surprised can you act when you get home and your parking spot is taken and the closest place to park is half a block away from your house. Naw, it doesn't work, so as far as she knew the kids wanted to have a family get together and eat "carne asada".

The fiesta was kinda neat because I bought all the meat but everybody else cooperated and brought every imaginable dish that goes with the carne asada and even some that didn't, but in the end it was all good. No a one complained about anything because it was all very delicious. From the spaghetti salad that my daughter lovingly made and almost lost it when a kid sprinted in front of her car and she almost run him over (My poor baby came home crying), to the salads, "smashed" potatoes, "frijoles puercos", Mexican rice, some delicious wraps my niece prepared and the list just went on and on.

For once we did not let mi chica do anything, she sat outside talking to everyone and I believe she had a great time, I found out for the first time how hard it is to prepare for a party as there was cleaning, and running around to be done and to top it off, yep, I woke up late... But what else is new.

Anyway by nine everyone was leaving on very full stomachs I might add but as usual some of us die hards stayed up until well past 2:00 a.m. We just sat in the backyard telling one story after another, the weather was totally awesome and it was well worth staying up that late. After everyone left we still stayed up a little bit longer, I finally passed out at a little past three in the morning.

It's amazing how we always manage to have so much fun and all this without liquor. OK I am lying I did break out my bottle of Amaretto which we enjoyed with coffee.

I want to thank everybody for helping me, most of you read my blog so THANK YOU. But specially the in-house party planner, my daughter Michelle whom amazingly enough can do so much in terms of decorating with $10.00 worth of items purchased at a .99 cent store.